What Are We Hearing? March 7

This is AllClemson.com's daily look behind the scenes of Clemson sports rumors, news and notes of interest

Where does the defensive line stack up?—Zach

This spring, the Tigers have every starter back along the defensive front. However, like last year, there are still questions, just of a different variety.

Faced with depth issues at defensive tackle, and and the front four's inability to consistently generate a pass rush last season, the coaching staff went out and signed a star-studded defensive line class during the 2020 cycle. Its' the kind of class that instantly provides an influx of elite level talent.

According to head coach Dabo Swinney, that influx of talent has already made an impact.

"The d-line, just night and day from where we were last year. It's just not even close in every area," Swinney said. "Overall talent, functional depth, knowledge, experience. We're just way further along than we were this time last year. Leadership. I'm very pleased with that group as a whole. And then I love our guys on the back end. I think it's exciting. The safeties have a lot to learn and just little things, angles and eyes on the right things. But we got the right guys. And that's all I can tell you. I think we hit on every one of those guys that we've signed, every single one of them, super encouraged."

Will there be a drop-off at offensive line? — Brad

One of the biggest concerns heading into the 2020 season is how Clemson will replace four starting offensive linemen. Yes, it's a tall task. Yes, it's OK right now to expect it to take time. 

But when you look at the starting group, it's loaded with talented players. Swinney has already identified right tackle Jordan McFadden as a rising star. Center Cade Stewart and left guard Matt Bockhorst have been in the program for multiple years. Will Putnam is an extremely talented right guard. And Jackson Carman, the lone returning starter, could be a first-round NFL draft pick with a huge season. 

Here's what Bockhorst, who Swinney called "nasty" this week, said when asked about the drop-off:

"I wouldn't buy into that. I wouldn't say there's a drop-off. I think that we have a ways to go, but that's why you go through spring and you go through summer workouts and then fall camp. So time will tell but I will disagree with that right now."

That's fair. Now, the experience behind those starters is more of a concern, so depth will need to develop quickly, but O-line coach Robbie Caldwell sets a high standard. Clemson's offensive line shouldn't be a weakness in 2020. How much it's a strength depends on how well they come together during the offseason.